Employer Registration
- LocationTampa, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Yacht Jobs in Florida
Build your maritime career with top super yacht jobs in Florida.
From private yacht placement to luxury charter employment opportunities,Florida has to offer a strong foundation for both beginners and experienced crews. An established marina and consistent vessel traffic across seasons are what set Florida apart from other yachting regions in the world. Thus, it's a market that rewards those who know where to look and how to show up.
Meridian puts you directly in front of hiring captains, yacht owners, and recruiters. Join Meridian for free to join and let your next role find you in just a few clicks.
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Deck/Steward(ess)
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Freelance
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- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagUS
First Officer/Chief Mate
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- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Salary9000
- Vessel Length145' to 175' (45 to 53 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Head Chef
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Full-Time
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- LocationNorth Palm Beach, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length145' to 175' (45 to 53 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Captain
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Full-Time
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- LocationBoca Ratón, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length0' to 79' (0 to 24 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Bosun
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- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Salary4500+
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
Chef
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- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Salary7,000-10,000
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
Mate
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- LocationWest Palm Beach, FL, USA
- Salary7000+
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
Chef
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Seasonal
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- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length80' to 110' (25 to 33 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
2nd Engineer
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- LocationWest Palm Beach, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
Why Work in Florida?
The yachting economy in Florida is tied closely to seasonal vessel movement and charter activity. Understanding that rhythm — when boats arrive, when they leave, and when captains hire — makes your job search significantly more effective.
- Key marinas in Florida offer the infrastructure that attracts high-end vessels. Where the infrastructure is strong, crew demand follows — especially for deckhands, stewards, and engineers who can hit the ground running.
- Charter seasons in Florida represent the biggest spike in hiring, but the market doesn't fully quiet down outside those months. Refit work, private owners, and delivery crews create year-round pockets of demand.
- If you're targeting Florida, being visible on platforms like Meridian well before the peak season starts is the smartest move. Most captains hire ahead of time — waiting until the season begins often means missing out.
Yacht Job Salaries in Florida
A popular hub for expedition yachts and water adventures, Florida-based roles often pay 10- 15% above the national average. With the rising demand for skilled and technically sound crew members, the pay for yacht positions in Florida is competitive. However, Florida is undisputedly one of the top locations for engineering and technical maritime roles. Typical monthly salary benchmarks in Florida look like this:
- Deckhand (entry): $2,800 – $4,000
- Steward/Stewardess: $2,500 – $4,500
- Head Chef: $5,000 – $9,000+
- Chief Mate / Chief Engineer: $6,500 – $11,000
- Captain: $10,000 – $22,000+
Permanent roles in Florida obviously offer more stability than seasonal contracts. While tips are rare in permanent jobs, you get a better work-life balance. In fact, in some cases, many permanent owners pay you for time-for-time training, e.g., they may pay for your next Coast Guard training program in return for a commitment to stay. On the other hand, seasonal roles in Florida come with high turnover but are better for those who are just starting out. The benefits are minimal compared to those of permanent roles and usually only cover food.
Frequently Asked Questions
Online job boards like Meridian and social media platforms are arguably the most active places where you can look for day work and last-minute yacht job openings. However, using both the online and offline modes for searching jobs is the best way. Visit ports and ask for jobs in person, build connections with yacht crew members, and offer day work services if you're new.
Cities with active charter markets or refit facilities in Florida tend to generate the most consistent crew demand. These locations also attract recruitment agencies, including private owners, which opens up even more channels for finding work.
Most employers want to see STCW, at minimum, a valid ENG1 or equivalent medical certificate, and a background check clearance. Additional certifications in safety, first aid, and powerboat handling all make your application stronger.
Seasonal employment is usual and a great way to get started in the yachting niche. Vessel activity in Florida peaks in certain months, and many owners hire temporary crew to fill positions ranging from interior staff to deckhands during those times.
Salaries across yachting roles in Florida reflect the US market rate. Captain and chief engineer positions on super yachts can command six-figure annual salaries. Newer crews usually start lower but grow quickly as they gain hours and certifications.
The most reliable hiring in Florida is driven by busy boatyards and marinas exclusive for private and non-industrial yachts. You are in the right place at the right time if you know which facilities handle the biggest vessels and when they are busiest.
The process is simple: join Meridian, upload your CV. Our system will automatically create your profile. Once it's live, you can browse through the roles and positions in Florida and apply with one click to any yacht job. Meridian puts your profile right in front of captains, private yacht owners, head of departments actively hiring for yacht crew members. Joining and applying through Meridian is completely free.
Why Use Meridian for Your Yacht Career?
Meridian has helped thousands of yacht owners, management companies, and recruiters find exceptional captains and crew for amazing yacht vacancies since Crew4Yachts was founded in 2006, continuing after its acquisition in 2020.
Beyond this, here are other reasons why you should use Meridian to jump-start your yacht career:
- Fast hiring cycle: It takes less than 2 minutes to upload your CV so that hiring yacht owners, captains, and recruiters can search our platform to find, contact, shortlist, and hire you.
- Trusted by captains and recruiters globally: We have been in the game since 2006, constantly connecting owners and recruiters with competent captains.
- Easy-to-use yacht crew database: Our platform is user-friendly, making it the best choice for owners, captains, and recruiters.
- Meridian grows with you: Today, you may be looking for work; tomorrow, you may be looking for crew. Within your account, you can easily switch from crew to employer.
Posting job vacancies or searching our platform for experienced crew takes just a few minutes.
How Our Platform Works
Join for free in under two minutes. Instantly get discovered by hundreds of employers hiring yacht crew, receive job alerts tailored to you, and apply for opportunities around the world.
1Join for Free
Upload your CV to create your account. If you'd like, you can also add qualifications and references.
2Be Found
Employers can find and contact you directly using keyword search, just like Google.
3One Click Apply
Apply through our job alert emails or directly from our website.
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